Chocolate Filled Donuts – Soft, Fluffy & Irresistibly Gooey
These chocolate filled donuts are irresistibly soft, fluffy, and bursting with rich, gooey chocolate. Made from a tender yeast dough and fried to golden perfection, each sugar-coated bite delivers bakery-quality indulgence at home. Whether you’re making them for breakfast, dessert, or a weekend treat, these homemade donuts never disappoint.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
- Total Time: About 2.5 hours
- Yield: 12 donuts
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Fried
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 3½ cups (440 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2¼ tsp) active dry yeast
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- ⅔ cup (160 ml) warm milk
- ¼ cup (60 ml) warm water
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 120 g (4 oz) semi-sweet chocolate or chocolate chips
- ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream (optional, for ganache-style filling)
- Neutral oil (vegetable or canola) for deep frying
- ½ cup granulated sugar or powdered sugar, for coating
Instructions
- Dissolve yeast in warm water with a pinch of sugar and let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt. Add the yeast mixture, warm milk, eggs, and softened butter. Knead the dough until smooth and elastic (about 8–10 minutes).
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and roll it out on a floured surface to ½-inch thickness. Cut into 2.5–3 inch rounds and place on parchment-lined trays. Cover and let rise for another 30–45 minutes until puffy.
- Melt the chocolate (and cream, if using) until smooth, then let cool slightly and transfer to a piping bag.
- Heat oil in a deep pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry the donuts in batches for 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and roll in sugar while still warm.
- Poke a hole in each donut and pipe in the chocolate filling. Serve warm for best taste and texture.
Notes
- Use Nutella or plain melted chocolate as a quick alternative to ganache.
- Add a touch of espresso powder, cinnamon, or orange zest to the filling for a flavor twist.
- No deep fryer needed — a heavy-bottomed pot with a thermometer works perfectly.
- For a baked version, brush shaped donuts with melted butter and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
